Ju-On :The Grudge

By: Denis Blot

February 2005

DVD Features Video: 1.85:1 Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio Commentary with Sam Raimi and Scott Spiegel Theatrical Trailer Trailer Gallery Behind-the-Scenes Footage Cast and Crew Interviews Deleted Scenes Theatrical release: 1/25/2003 DVD released on 11/09/2004 by Lions Gate Running time of 92  minutes Starring: Okina Megumi, Uehara Misa, Ito Misaki, Ichikawa Yui Director: Takashi Shimizu Plot: An eerie tale of a family who is brutally killed in their own home, leaving behind an evil spirit lurking in the shadows. When an unknowing homecare worker enters, the spirit is awakened and a terrifying chain of events begins, passing through all those who step foot in this dark house.

Is there anything more terrifying than a strange sound heard coming from darkness? Ju-on:The Grudge plays with frightening images and sounds that leave a viewer unnerved. Director Takashi Shimizu ignores the slasher horror film mentality, instead following classical horror movie techniques that generate fear but do not disgust. The film is a typical ghost story with a haunted house and a curse, but goes one step further in that the ghostly beings are able to travel from their home and seek out those whose lives they wish to take.

The ghosts appear in human form, albeit deathly white, and in a black smoky form. The ghosts lack the typical gory make-up that viewers have come to expect of contemporary horror films, and would generate little fear if not for Shimizu’s direction. It’s the timing of the ghost’s appearances and their strangeness that catches a viewer off guard and instills fear. The arrival of a ghost in a shower, under bed covers, and the sudden appearance of human eyes in a mass of black smoke keep the viewer on edge.

What is most unsettling in the film is the usage of two sounds to represent the ghosts, one being the shrill sound of a screeching cat and the other of a sound that approximates a gargling throat. The sounds are heard often before the appearance of the ghosts, leaving the viewer unnerved as he waits for their arrival. Shimizu’s mastering of this technique rivals Wes Craven’s own usage of it with Freddy Kreuger’s blades scraping the pipes in A Nightmare on Elm Street.

The extras on the DVD are definitely worth checking out. The deleted scenes do not hold anything of much interest, yet are worthwhile viewing as Shimizu explains in voice-over why he chose to cut them from the film. There is also audio commentary by Evil Dead director Sam Raimi along with Scott Spiegel who wrote and acted in several horror films including some of the Evil Dead films. As they are both horror film veterans its intriguing to listen as they analyze the film’s content.

If you are a fan of the horror film genre, this DVD is a must have.

Reviewer’s Opinion: BUY IT!!